Hanford, CA – A man was killed in a hit-and-run crash near Hamilton Elementary School in Hanford early Sunday morning, according to police.
The collision occurred near Leland Way and 9 1/4 Avenue. Investigators determined that Ronald Torres, a 70-year-old man from Hanford, was struck by a vehicle between 6:20 and 6:40 a.m. on October 25. The driver left the scene without stopping.
Officers received a report of a person lying on the ground around 8:30 a.m. When they arrived, they found Torres near the intersection with injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. No other vehicles were at the scene. Torres was declared dead at the scene.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage that showed a 2007 silver Toyota RAV4 with front-end damage striking Torres. The footage also showed the vehicle returning minutes later.
The investigation led police to identify 26-year-old Bryan Gomez as the suspect. Officers located him at his workplace near Highway 43 and Lansing Avenue and arrested him Monday. Gomez, whom investigators said was an unlicensed driver, directed detectives to the RAV4 at a home in Armona.
Gomez was booked into Kings County Jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run resulting in death and vehicular manslaughter. The investigation is ongoing.